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Jordan Faison (Coming From A Winning Environment In College My Rookie Season Was A Different Kind Of Adversity

Jordan Faison is a 22 year old 201cm forward from Lake Forest, California that recently completed his rookie in Germany playing for the UNI-Riesen Leipzig averaging 20,8ppg, 9,2rpg and 1,7apg. He played at Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2012-2016 playing a total of 107 NCAA games. As a senior he played 30 games averaging 16.9ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.8apg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 22.5%, FT: 65.4%. He spoke to German Hoops after his rookie season in Germany.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Jordan Faison in Frankfurt after he finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds in 73-67 win against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors

Thanks Jordan for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the 73-72 win against Nordlingen. Was this a victory you couldn´t really enjoy simply because the club was unable to stay in the Pro B on account of Rhondorf beating Lich?

No we for sure were able to enjoy it because we know that if it wasn’t for the league taking away 2 points we would be able to stay in the league regardless. But mistakes happen and you can only learn from them, but overall we were very excited about this win!

What kind of experience was it for you playing in the playdowns and playing 6 games where the team was under immense pressure to win? How did these last 6 games shape you as a player?

It was great because the competition level was high every game. You had teams fighting for their lives and it brought the best out of everybody. I think for me it definitely it was a different experience that taught me a lot, and that I will grow from.

It obviously didn´t help the Uni-Riesen Leipzig to lose a game on penalty, but what was key in the playdowns for not staying in the league? Possibly the loss in Lich? Had you won that game, you would have been in a good position to stay in the Pro B?

I wouldn’t pin it on one thing, there was a lot of close games that could’ve went our way and that’s just how the cookie crumbles sometimes. But without the penalty we stay in the league, and I’m proud of my team because we did all we could do that was in our control.

Despite the coaching change, injuries and players coming and going how would you summarize this season for the Uni-Riesen Leipzig? What were the highs and lows?

I think I could summarize the whole season as a learning experience. Being challenged by a lot of adversity is tough, but fighting through and learning from it only makes you that much better in the long run.

After losing almost every game in the first two months, the Uni-Riesen Leipzig did get better as a team and got some wins. What was key for this team not totally losing it at the start and finishing the season almost staying in the Pro B?

Obviously bringing in Coach Anton and Cardell were huge for us, and I believe we began to play as a team. We got a better understanding of how we could play with each other, and sometimes that happens earlier for some teams, and sometimes later for others.

If you had to pick one German who you feel progressed the most from day one to the last win against Nordlingen who would you choose? Possibly Jonas Nidermanner who had a very solid season?

I don’t think I could choose just one, because I believe all of them progressed greatly throughout the season. All of our guys put in so much hard work day in and day out, and it definitely translated to on the court.

What was your personal season highlight? You averaged 20,5ppg and 9,7rpg and scored in double figures 26 times and had 18 double doubles. You definitely have many games to choose from?

Personally I like my Triple double game the most. It was an important win, and I was able to do something other than score and rebound haha

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Jordan Faison after 85-73 loss in Rhondorf where he supplied 16 points and 11 boards for USC Leipzig

You finished the season very strong registering 11 double doubles in your last 12 games. How do you feel did your game grow in the last three months?

I think I would say I became more consistent.

How important do you feel your rookie experience was playing for a losing team and being able to be so consistent? How do you feel did this experience help your game mature?

I think it was extremely important coming from a winning environment in college. It was a different kind of adversity that I had to deal with, and I definitely learned a lot from it!

You battled against many tough forwards like Taevauun Prince or Lamar Mallory, but who was the toughest guy that you had to match up against?

I think there were a lot good matchups, and I think every forward brought a different challenge. Toughest is hard to say, that’s a good question.

How do you feel that you were able to develop your game in your rookie season that will help you make the next step in your second professional season?

My jumper got better as the season went on, and I think that is something I will continue to improve and will help me in my next step.

What is the next step for Jordan Faison? You belonged to the top power forwards in the Germna Pro B. You will get many offers this season from Pro B teams and some Pro A teams.Do you feel that you can be an impact player in the Pro A?

I believe I can, I don’t know exactly what my next step will be but I plan on just keep making the best opportunity for myself and going as far as I can

What are your plans for the summer basketball wise. What will be the most vital things that you will be working on to help define your game even more?

The plan is to get in the gym continue to improve on my perimeter game, and get in the weight room and continue to get my body right.

Now that the NCAA tournament is history, what sports do you concentrate on in the summer to watch?

I like watching summer league NBA basketball, and towards the end of the summer the NFL football.

Devin Booker recently hit the Boston Celtics with 70 points. Did it surprise you that he reached this feat before other big time NBA players?

Nope, that man has some serious game. I got league pass so I watch him more than the casual fan, and when I saw he had 70 it didn’t surprise me one bit.

How special was the run of South Carolina at the 2017 NCAA tournament? Do you feel like this was the story of March Madness 2017?

I think it was awesome, you always get one team that surprises everyone and they did more than just that!

Is Lonzo Ball the real thing? Do you feel like he will be able to develop further despite the antics of his father on social media?

I mean he brings it on the court and that’s the most important thing. He definitely won’t have any problems.

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

Not at all, especially for a guy who plays as hard as he does. That just goes to show, you will never please everyone. But as long as you do all you can do it shouldn’t matter.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie or actually set of movies I watched, was all the hunger games movies. I was late on the whole train but I’m caught up now, and I don’t regret it at all! One of my favorite series!